This includes a new look and feel that looks very similar to the Google Plus interface, and other new features like Gmail's ability to adapt automatically to the windows size in which it is displayed.

Users who resize the Gmail window will notice that the relevant information, for instance the sender, subject and date of each email in the inbox, are always visible on screen.

The options button at the top right leads to additional display density options. The default comfortable setting uses big margins and whitespace areas between posts which users can reduce by switching to the cozy or compact display density options.

Another new feature is the slider that allows users to increase or decrease the label or chat area on the left sidebar.

Google has uploaded new high resolution themes that users can switch to.

Conversations have been redesigned to improve readability. You will also notice that profile pictures have been added if available.

Google has updated search as well. If you are a Gmail user you know that search consists of just a single form that you can use to search.

The new search comes with filters that include from, to and subjects as well as words, attachments and date fields which looks similar to the menu that is displayed when you set up filters on Gmail.

Filters can now also be created right from the search box. You can see the video with all the changes discussed in this news article below.

There is no official word yet on the availability of the new features but it is likely that they will be rolled out soon.

I'm not really affected by the changes as I'm using Thunderbird as my main email client. If you are a Gmail web interface user, what's your take on the changes announced in the video? (via)

Advertisement

We need your help

Advertising revenue is falling fast across the Internet, and independently-run sites like Ghacks are hit hardest by it. The advertising model in its current form is coming to an end, and we have to find other ways to continue operating this site.

We are committed to keeping our content free and independent, which means no paywalls, no sponsored posts, no annoying ad formats or subscription fees.

If you like our content, and would like to help, please consider making a contribution:

About Martin Brinkmann

Martin Brinkmann is a journalist from Germany who founded Ghacks Technology News Back in 2005. He is passionate about all things tech and knows the Internet and computers like the back of his hand.You can follow Martin on Facebook, Twitter or Google+

Comments

You can preview a bit of the newer design if you go to Settings -> Themes and then at the bottom select either Preview or Preview (Dense). A lot of the changes are not there, but at least you can start getting used to the new Google look.

Here also it would be nice when your implemented the possibility to blow up the pictures. concerning the change Its a little bit like the red t-shirt the presenter is wearing like the background changes i am not yet sure that there for the better. There some good changes like the pictures with the conversions but that’s about it.

Heh – good call on whether it actually was accidental – I doubt it too!

Anyway, I’ve been using the “preview-dense” theme pretty much since it became available and very much like that look far more than most of the other pretty dreadful themes.

I get the impression that many of the existing themes are going to be binned in the overhaul – as you may guess, in my view that’s not a loss, but will certainly upset some users who’ve been using them for a long time.

The added functionality will though, in most cases, eventually win over any doubters.

Gmail is facing some pretty stiff competition on the functionality front with other webmail providers upping their game (see hotmail for eg) and I hope that this is just the start of a renovation of gmail.

In my opinion the only thing that Hotmail has got that is better than Gmail is the sweep function. Other than that, Gmail, especially with the new look and features that are coming will move back into the lead.

I would do what the first poster says and go to Settings and then themes and change your theme to either the “preview” theme or the “preview dense theme” to give the look (but not the features) a trial run, It took a bit of getting used to, but it’s much cleaner and more modern then the old look.

About gHacks

Ghacks is a technology news blog that was founded in 2005 by Martin Brinkmann. It has since then become one of the most popular tech news sites on the Internet with five authors and regular contributions from freelance writers.